Red Moscow

Chapter 2622 Churchill’s Speech

Although Sokov did not know what happened to prevent the Soviet troops from participating in the victory parade held in London in June 1946, once their superiors informed them of the cancellation of the trip to London, he and Yakov It is necessary to continue to train the troops and be ready to go to war at any time.

Since soldiers will inevitably get injured during high-intensity training, superiors specially arranged a five-person medical team to treat injuries to soldiers. Sokov took the opportunity to propose to his superiors that Asiya could be included in the medical team. His request was quickly approved, and Asiya successfully became a member of the medical team. Together with Sokov, they eat and live in the military camp every day. As for Luna at home, she can only ask Asiya's mother Nina to take care of her.

Just a week after training, Sokov suddenly received a call from Zhukov: "Misha, what are you doing?"

"I'm at the training ground, supervising the training of the reference troops." After Sokov briefly reported, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, what can I do for you?"

"You leave the training to Lieutenant Colonel Bezikov." Zhukov said urgently: "You and Yasha come to my office immediately. I have important matters to see you."

Naturally, Sokov did not dare to neglect Zhukov's order. He quickly called Bezikov and told him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, General Yakov and I are going to Marshal Zhukov's place. Things on the training ground will be settled." It’s up to you to take charge.”

"Don't worry, Comrade General." Bezikov replied with a serious expression: "I will supervise the training of the commanders and fighters."

When Sokov and Yakov left, Asya caught up from behind and asked curiously: "Misha, where are you going?"

"Marshal Zhukov called me and told me and Yasha that he had important matters to report to him immediately."

"Comrade Marshal is looking for you, will there be anything important?"

Sokov was not the roundworm in Zhukov's belly, so how could he possibly know what the other party was looking for at this moment? Because when he heard Asiya's question, he shook his head and said with a wry smile: "I don't know what it is for the moment, but the tone of Comrade Marshal's words seems to be very anxious, so we have to rush over as soon as possible."

"Then you have to be careful." Asiya warned: "After this is over, remember to come back early."

"OK, all right."

On the way, Yakov curiously asked Sokov: "Misha, why do you think Marshal Zhukov is looking for us in such a hurry?"

Although Sokov didn't know why Zhukov called him, he had an unknown feeling in his heart. I feel that as long as I meet Zhukov today, there is a possibility that the troops will go to London to participate in the military parade. Hearing Yakov's question, he answered cautiously: "Yasha, Marshal Zhukov didn't say anything. But I guess it has something to do with this military parade."

"Since it has something to do with the military parade, then Marshal Zhukov should come to the military camp." Yakov asked puzzledly: "After calling us over in such a hurry and listening to our report, he finally had to go to the training ground in person to inspect our training. result."

The two came to Zhukov's office and found that there were not only Zhukov, but also Vasilevsky, Rokossovsky, Konev and Malinovsky. Seeing so many marshals in the office at once, Sokov and Yakov were a little stunned. What happened to bring so many marshals together?

After a moment of confusion, Sokov and Yakov stepped forward side by side, raised their hands and saluted Marshal Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, we are here under orders, please give instructions!"

Zhukov pointed towards the sofa by the wall and said with a cold expression: "You guys sit down first, I will tell you what happened later."

Before the two sat down, they raised their hands to salute the other marshals. After saying hello to them, they sat down on the sofa designated by Zhukov.

Rokossovsky raised his hand to look at the time and said to Zhukov: "Georgy Konstantinovich, it's almost time, let's get started."

Zhukov nodded, then picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and said into the phone: "I am Zhukov, let him in."

While Zhukov was on the phone, Rokossovsky went to a waist-high radio by the wall and bent down to turn it on. Voices soon came from inside, and Sokov was surprised to find that the voice coming from the radio was speaking English.

Sokov looked at Zhukov with some surprise, and thought in confusion: "What is going on with Marshal Zhukov? Why did he think of asking himself to listen to the English broadcast?"

Just when he was puzzled, the closed door opened, and Malenkov came in with a captain officer. He smiled and said to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, the interpreter is here."

Zhukov nodded slightly to Malenkov, pointed to the radio in the corner, and said to the captain: "Comrade translator, please translate for everyone what is said on the radio."

The captain walked to the radio, bent down to listen to the voice coming from it, and then began to translate: "On March 5, 1946, that is today, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was visiting the United States, was in Westminster The college delivered a speech titled "Pillars of Peace."

When the others heard this, their expressions were quite natural. But Sokov's heart was like a stormy sea. At this moment, he finally understood why the reference force formed by the Soviet army was not able to go to London to participate in the victory parade. It was because Churchill expressed serious views on the Soviet Union in this speech. Unfriendly remarks angered the Soviet side. As a result, the Soviet troops that were originally scheduled to participate in the London Victory Parade did not show up in London. The British side could only use the reason that the Soviet troops were not satisfied with the order of appearance and refused to participate in the parade to fool the general public.

Just listen to the captain continue to translate: "...from Szczecin on the Baltic Sea to Trieste on the Adriatic Sea, the Iron Curtain has been drawn across the European continent. Behind this Iron Curtain are all Central Europe, The capitals of the ancient countries of Eastern Europe—Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Sofia—all these famous cities and their surrounding populations were within the Soviet sphere of influence, and all fell, in one way or another, not only. under Soviet influence and increasingly controlled by Moscow.”

Hearing this, Konev raised his hand and slapped the table hard, and cursed: "Damn British guy, you actually compared the boundary between the two political areas of influence to the 'Iron Curtain', it's so outrageous "But Malenkov snorted coldly and said: "Marshal Konev, in fact, the idea of ​​the Iron Curtain was not Churchill's original idea. As early as a year ago, Germany's Propaganda Minister Goebbels said: 'If Germany. The people laid down their arms, and under the agreement of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, the Soviets would take control of eastern and southern Europe, including most of the empire. Over the vast swaths of territory controlled by the Soviet Union, an Iron Curtain was about to come down. Behind the Iron Curtain. All nations will be massacred.'"

Zhukov said to Malenkov with a straight face: "Comrade Malenkov, tell us why Churchill gave such a speech?"

Malenkov nodded and continued: "With the defeat of Germany, the entire Eastern Europe is under the control of our country, which frightened Churchill. That's why he made such a speech, advocating an alliance between Britain and the United States, and the English-speaking people Let’s all unite to fight against the expansion of our country’s ‘Iron Curtain’.”

Sokov, sitting on the sofa, was thinking silently: Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech officially kicked off the Cold War. In the next three years, the United States made three major moves in succession—first launching the "Truman Doctrine" and the "Marshall Plan" in 1947, and then leading the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949.

The main purpose of the Truman Doctrine is that the United States should shoulder the responsibility of leading the world, help free nations, and fight against the totalitarian regime of the Soviet Union.

The Marshall Plan was to help Europe recover from the wounds of war and revive the economy. This was the practice of the Truman Doctrine in the economic field. They believed that as long as poverty was eradicated, totalitarian regimes could be strangled from their roots.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, referred to as NATO, is the military implementation of the Truman Doctrine and aims to counter the threat of the "Iron Curtain" to European and North American countries.

In response to Lao America's three-pronged attack, the Soviet Union also took tit-for-tat measures. First of all, politically, party and workers' intelligence bureaus in nine countries were established; economically, the "Molotov Plan" was launched and the Economic Mutual Assistance Committee was established; militarily, bilateral alliance treaties were concluded with Eastern European countries, and in The Warsaw Pact was established in 1955 to counter NATO.

But these things all happened a year later and have little to do with the present moment. Sokov was only concerned about how Zhukov and others would react after listening to Churchill's speech and what measures they planned to take.

Malenkov did not continue talking, but said to the captain: "Comrade Captain, your mission has been completed and you can leave."

At this moment, Churchill's speech had ended, and it no longer made much sense for the captain to be the translator. After he raised his hand and saluted those present, he turned around and strode out.

"Okay, Comrade Malenkov, there are no outsiders here." After the captain left, Zhukov asked Malenkov with a straight face: "Tell me, should we respond to Churchill's speech?"

Malenkov slowly expressed his opinion: "I think Comrade Molotov, the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, should send a note to the United Kingdom, strongly condemning Churchill's speech that damages our country's image, and ask him to speak to the British in public. Our country formally apologizes.”

"Comrade Malenkov, have you ever thought that since Churchill could make such radical remarks during his visit to the United States without communicating with the United States in advance, it is impossible." Zhukov explained his point of view to Malenkov: "Even if Our country has sent a diplomatic note asking Churchill to apologize, but I am afraid we will not get any response. I think we should take stronger measures."

"Marshal Zhukov, I wonder what tough measures you plan to take?" Malenkov asked.

"Use the troops deployed near the actual line of contact between us and the Allies to start large-scale military exercises and use force to deter the Allies." Zhukov said solemnly: "The other point is to express our demands to the British side. If Churchill does not apologize, our troops will not participate in the victory parade in London in June this year."

Hearing what Zhukov said, Rokossovsky interrupted and said: "Comrade Marshal, Misha and Yasha are responsible for consulting the troops. Should you listen to their opinions?"

Facing Rokossovsky's reminder, Zhukov couldn't help but frown slightly, but his brows quickly relaxed, and then he asked Sokov: "Misha, tell me your opinion, you Think we should attend the victory parade in London?"

"Comrade Marshal." Hearing Zhukov ask himself, Sokov quickly stood up and replied respectfully: "I think our country may not be able to participate in this military parade."

"Misha, I know that in order to participate in the London military parade, you and Yasha are now living and eating in the barracks, supervising the training of the reference troops every day." Zhukov looked at Sokov and said: "If it is suddenly announced that you cannot participate in the military parade, , do you think those commanders and combatants will be disappointed?"

"Disappointment is inevitable, Comrade Marshal." Sokov replied solemnly: "But Churchill has just made extremely unfriendly remarks towards our country. If we do not take some measures to boycott and protest, Britain and the United States will They will feel that our country is weak and can be bullied, and they may use more force to deal with us in the future. Therefore, refusing to go to London to participate in the victory parade is a tough attitude on our part.”

"Misha, have you ever considered that even if our troops don't go to London and participate in this victory parade, it won't have any impact on the British side?" Konev interjected.

"You are right, Marshal Konev." Sokov looked at Konev and said: "Whether it is the diplomatic note issued by our country or the boycott of this victory parade, the impact on the United Kingdom is extremely great. It is limited and can only show our attitude at best, but it is enough. The military exercises proposed by Marshal Zhukov will display the military strength of our army in front of the British and American allies and let them understand that our strength is far greater than theirs. Think more powerfully.”

"Misha, you are right. Our troops will not be able to participate in the victory parade held in London this time. This will be an action for us to boycott Churchill's speech." After Malenkov said this, he turned to Zhukov , reminding the other party: "Comrade Marshal, I think this matter is of great importance. Should I report it to Comrade Stalin immediately?"

"That's right, that's right." Zhukov nodded and said, "In a few days, an important meeting will be held. Such a major event must be reported to Comrade Stalin. Maybe he will bring the matter to the meeting for discussion. ”

"Without further ado, let's go to his office now." Malenkov might be worried that Zhukov would not be willing to go, and specifically emphasized: "This matter is of great importance, and it is inappropriate to report it on the phone, so we'd better Go to the Kremlin to meet Comrade Stalin in person.”

Zhukov agreed to Malenkov's proposal and said to the people in the room: "Comrade commanders, Malenkov and I are going to the Kremlin immediately to see Comrade Stalin. You all go back first. If anything happens, I will take the initiative to contact you. Yours."